On Monday morning, students got down to business at Eddie’s. After breakfast and a quick induction talk from college staff, their teachers were on hand to introduce themselves and help take students to their classrooms, most of which are on Clare College’s leafy Memorial Court site. With subjects ranging from English to Computer Science, there was a dynamic range of different interests on campus. 

Lessons on Monday saw introductions to their courses, as students were given time to ask any questions they had about their plan of learning over the next two weeks. Lessons ran until half past three with a chance for a good lunch together in between classes. At 16:00, students gathered for the day’s first counsellor-led activity: the keenly anticipated tour of Cambridge.

All students are able to use their free time to go off into town and explore, shop or grab a bite to eat, making a guided tour of the winding, medieval streets of Cambridge useful as a navigational exercise as well as a lesson in history. Many of our counsellors have either lived or studied in Cambridge, and they used their local expertise to offer recommendations to all of the students. The sun was shining throughout the afternoon, and the landmarks of Cambridge were made more beautiful by the glowing light. 

After the tour, it was time for dinner back in college. Then at 19:30 students reassembled for their evening’s entertainment. The hotly-contested ORA Quiz saw students split into teams and puzzle their way through rounds including one on Cambridge (testing what they had learned on their tours), and a round on their counsellors and JDs, matching names to fun facts about each staff member (Eddie’s are blessed with a number of very interesting employees).

Students then enjoyed the rest of the evening to themselves before curfew, with the prospect of another big day on Tuesday. It was great to see everyone getting to know each other a little better!